Demolition and Construction

Transplanting architectural designs and dreams from paper to reality required substantial funds and an experienced contractor. On June 4, 1957, the Society commissioned J.S.Cornell & Son, Inc. to build Library Hall for an estimated cost of $2 million. The demolition of the Drexel Building proved to be a complicated undertaking, requiring the Society to delay the planned laying of the cornerstone until April 25, 1958. Despite the setbacks, Library Hall opened to the public in 1959. To better serve researchers, Library Hall has undergone significant internal renovations since 1959, including a reconfiguration of the reading room from 2004-2008.

Galleries

Click on the images below to follow the progress of contsruction.